1. In and near this great and famous Empori∣um, is the usual Residence of our Kings, the High Court of Parliament, the fixed Seats of all the Courts of Judicature, and in it is managed a vast Trade, as was shew'd in the Chapter that Treats of it; now a cheap, frequent, and safe way of Correspondence, is very advantageous for all that are concerned in Com∣merce, or Business.
The principal Trade of London depends upon Navigation, and therefore the City and Suburbs are situate along the River of Thames, extending in length, as was shew'd, pag. 5. from Ly••ne-house, to the end of Tuttle-street 7500 Geometrical P••ces, that is seven Miles and an half; and from the end of Blackman-street, to the end of St. Leonard Shore∣ditch, 2500 Paces in Breadth, that is two Miles; and the whole Circumference (as by Demonstration can be made apparent) is above 20 Miles, taking in all the Contiguous Suburbs and Westminster, so that it is the longest, if not the greatest and most populous City in Christendom. This extraordinary Length, though it adds to its Splendor and Beauty, yet it renders speedy Communication and Intercourse in Business very uneasie, and much more troublesom, than in such great Cities as Paris, which is almost of an orbicular Form. Now to keep up a necessary Correspondence, the way formerly used, was to hire Porters at Excessive Rates to go on Errands, and to send Servants or Apprentices, who, in the mean while, lost that time that should be spent to learn their Trades, and benefit their Masters, and would often loyter, and get vicious habits, and evil company, &c.